David Harris on Why the 9/11 Terrorists Should Be Tried in U.S. Federal Courts

Published September 24, 2014

In the Lehigh Valley News, Professor David Harris explains that although the terrorist trials will be a major security and logistical headache wherever they are held, trying these cases in federal district courts has major advantages over using untested and untried military tribunals. Federal courts have tried nearly all of the major terrorism cases of the past two decades with success, and have demonstrated to the world the strength of our country’s justice system, its independent judiciary, and its belief in the rule of law. “”We have to do everything in our power to ensure we not only have a fair trial that reflects our values” but a smooth and secure trial, Harris said. ”I’ve seen the justice system operating for a long time. We are able to do this; we can pull this off.”